Joint partnership announced for Washington Int. Horse Show PR

Bendure Communications, Phelps Media Group, Inc., and Press Link PR are pleased to announce their joint partnership to provide the public relations for the 2005 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS). The WIHS will be held at the state-of-the-art MCI Center in downtown Washington, D.C. on OctoberBendure Communications, Phelps Media Group, Inc., and Press Link PR are pleased to announce their joint partnership to provide the public relations for the 2005 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS). The WIHS will be held at the state-of-the-art MCI Center in downtown Washington, D.C. on October

Bendure Communications, Phelps Media Group, Inc., and Press Link PR are pleased to announce their joint partnership to provide the public relations for the 2005 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS). The WIHS will be held at the state-of-the-art MCI Center in downtown Washington, D.C. on October 25-30, 2005.

The 47th Annual Washington International Horse Show has served as one of the world’s elite show jumping competitions since its genesis in 1958. From its birthplace at the DC Armory, to the Capital Centre, and now at the MCI Center, the WIHS brings the "country to the city" every October with Olympic horses and riders competing throughout the 6 days of competition for some of the most coveted and prestigious awards in the world.

Each year, equestrians from all across the United States participate in horse shows to qualify to compete at Washington. The world’s top riders fly their multi-million dollar equine athletes to Washington to vie for top honors in this world class show jumping event.

The WIHS is a charitable organization and proceeds are donated to local and national charities. Past recipients include: Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, NBC 4’s Camp 4 Kids, Canine Companions for Independence, ASPCA, Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health, Partners in Education, Community Services for Autistic Adults & Children, National Center For Therapeutic Riding, and more.

The beneficiary of this year’s WIHS is Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, whose mission is to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families. Starlight Starbright brings together experts from pediatrics, technology, and entertainment to create programs that address the social, emotional, and medical aspects of living with a serious illness. Our programs empower children and families to take charge of their illness, play a more active role in their treatment, and better cope with the challenges that accompany prolonged illness.

Highlights of the show this year will include $10,000 Children’s and Adult Amateur Hunter Classics on Tuesday, October 25, $10,000 Children’s and Adult Amateur Jumper Classics on Wednesday, October 26, $25,000 President’s Cup Qualifier and $20,000 Gambler’s Choice on Thursday, October 27, $25,000 Puissance (high jump) on Friday, October 28, and the WIHS Equitation Classic and $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, CSI-W, on Saturday, October 29.

Leslie Howard aboard Galop de Beaumont, winner of the 2004 Puissance at WIHS. (c)Al Cook PhotoIn addition, WIHS will host the top hunters in the nation and will feature musical freestyle dressage exhibitions by top dressage riders. Special exhibitions at the WIHS will include barrel racing, Jack Russell Terrier races, a bull riding event on the evening of Sunday, October 23, and a concert featuring country music star Tracy Byrd on Saturday evening, October 29, following the President’s Cup Grand Prix.

This will be an unprecedented affiliation between three public relations firms for an equestrian event and will help endorse the Washington International Horse Show and the equestrian industry. "I am very excited about the team we’ve assembled to promote the Washington International Horse Show this year," stated Sheila Johnson, president of the WIHS, "Their talents will be an enormous asset to the show."

Johnson initially asked Press Link PR to handle the WIHS. "I really thought that it needed to have more power behind it," explained Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link PR. "Having worked with PMG this past winter, I decided to ask Mason Phelps if he would be interested in teaming up with me to do the public relations."

Phelps agreed that a team effort would benefit the WIHS. "I think it will be great for us to work together on an important event like the Washington International Horse Show," stated PMG president, Mason Phelps, Jr. "Anything we can do to raise awareness of equestrian sport will be beneficial."

Press Link PR will handle vendor communication and oversee all public relations duties. Phelps Media Group, Inc. will handle all written press releases for the WIHS and will run the Press Room jointly with Press Link PR. Bendure Communications will work on general interest and national media coverage. Vicki Bendure, president of Bendure Communications, expressed, "With the work we’re doing together, we’re hoping to have increased attendance, expanded coverage, and more sponsorship."

"We’re really comfortable with working together and we feel that the companies are much stronger together than independently," De Rosa commented. "Our strengths balance each other out, so it really makes a very good match."

The public relations partnership for the WIHS is also working on an outreach to all local groups, organizations, and horse enthusiasts, in order to compile a comprehensive database of the local and equestrian community. The database will help the WIHS keep each person apprised of the many wonderful highlights that will happen at this year’s Washington International Horse Show, and will encourage everyone to come out and support the show.

For more information on the Washington International Horse Show, please contact:

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